Research Assistant II Laboratory of Dr. Rusty Gage

The Research Assistant II will support the Laboratory of Dr. Gage where they will focus on exploring the role of hippocampal neurons in memory under normal enhanced or disease-impaired conditions. The research aims to determine how individual cells use gene expression changes to direct the formation maintenance and discrimination of memories.

The successful candidate will spend about 50% of their time in support of specific experimental goals designated by the Staff Scientist 25% of their time on independent projects and 25% of their time on general lab support. Required experimental duties include conducting drug dosing performing survival surgeries assessing animal behavior and collecting brain tissue samples. The Research Assistant will also be responsible for performing standard immunohistochemistry techniques obtaining and analyzing confocal images and assisting with implementation of spatial transcriptomics methods. This role involves working with rodents (mice) common viral vectors (AAV lentivirus or retrovirus) and biological materials derived from these sources. Lab support duties include equipment maintenance and training within the labs histology area.

The Research Assistant will work closely alongside a Staff Scientist who will provide direct supervision. The role involves receiving comprehensive training in various research techniques to offer valuable research support. The Research Assistant will be responsible for conducting experiments designed by the Staff Scientist and ensuring precise execution analysis documentation and organization of experimental procedures and outcomes.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that valuesall members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline professional acumen and unique life experiences fostering innovation and a sense of belonging. Together we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine the Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice intimate by nature and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salks vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. Fromvisionary leadersto dedicatedadministratorsand brilliantfaculty members the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Conduct animal behavior experiments including mouse handling drug dosing by a variety of routes and behavioral analysis
• Perform stereotaxic surgeries for delivering viral vectors or other research compounds directly to the brain
• Perform genotyping for maintenance of a transgenic mouse colony
• Collect tissues from experimental animals
• Perform cryo-sectioning immunostaining and fluorescent imaging on mouse brain samples
• Execute and refine protocols for image analysis
• Maintain equipment and train new users on basic procedures within lab histology area
• Perform lab support duties which may include preparing standard solutions stocking/organizing lab supplies assisting in hazardous/biohazardous waste disposal and maintaining laboratory safety records.
• Coordinate with core facilities (e.g. In Vivo Scientific Services Biophotonics Imaging Core Flow Cytometry Core Integrative Genomics Core) for specialized technical support
• Maintain accurate records of experimental data and protocols in laboratory notebooks and databases.
• Participate in staff meetings and contribute to general problem-solving.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• Minimum 2 years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 4 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelors degree in a different discipline.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office Suite.
• Computer skills preferred: Prism R Flowjo Zen Any-Maze Ethovision.
• Other skills (preferred):
  • Demonstrated experience in mouse handling and tissue collection.
  • Demonstrated experience with confocal imaging and imaging analysis and knowledge of histology and microscopy techniques.
  • Proficiency in molecular biology techniques.
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic laboratory setting.
  • Rodent survival surgery experience is a plus.
  • Flow cytometry experience is a plus.
  • Familiarity with sequencing library preparation spatial transcriptomics or bioinformatics analysis is a plus.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $21.15-$25.00 hourly.Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal equity geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits including medical dental vision retirement paid time off tuition reimbursement patient advocacy services and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community both scientists and administrators worked together to define values that we believe support Salks pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym I CARE provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students employees applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include but not limited to such hairstyles as braids and twists) color religion religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices) national origin ancestry citizenship physical or mental disability medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics) genetic information marital status age sex (including pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding or related medical conditions) reproductive health decision making gender gender identity gender expression sexual orientation veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran veteran of the Vietnam era other covered veteran status) political affiliation and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has or is perceived to have any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Required Experience:

Junior IC